Lahainaluna High School head coach Dean Rickard (left) watches his offensive linemen rush Tuesday afternoon at Sue Cooley Stadium. Maui News/Photos by Matt Thayer
LAHAINA — The smiles on the faces of Jason Akahi-Vida and LJ Morikawa told a lot of the story Tuesday afternoon at Sue Cooley Stadium.
The Lahainaluna High School football team was practicing for the 12th day, and Akahi-Vida, one of the leading offensive linemen, was chatting with Morikawa, the May Interscholastic League Defensive Player of the Year, outside the locker room.
“It’s amazing to be back.” There’s the 5-foot-10, 210-pound Morikawa, a senior edge rusher. “I’ve been out a little bit with an injury, but everyone’s fine now. I’m glad to be back with my team. Just getting our team chemistry and working on everything we need to work on, the team has improved.”
Morikawa suffered second-degree burns on his leg after melting in the heat at a University of Nevada, Las Vegas football camp in late June.
“He burned my leg and I was burned like a second degree and there was a big swelling on each side, but everything is healed now.” Morikawa said. “I feel better now.”
First-Vida
Morikawa gives up 50 pounds to Akahi-Vida, a 6-1, 260-pound lefty, but they battle every day in practice and each gets better because of it.
The Lunas have won a MIL-record 31 league games in a row like this — they haven’t lost a MIL game since Oct. 15, 2016, when they beat Baldwin 19-13.
“They are very good and tough competition, so that will help us out.” Morikawa talked about going with his offensive linemates. “Every day when we’re going head-to-head, it’s the best against the best, so D-line, O-line head-to-head, we’re constantly improving, making new moves. Yes, that’s great.”
It is said that it is special that Akahi-Vida held its official rehearsal in early August for the first time since 2019 due to the epidemic.
“We feel good, we compete against each other every day – he’s not in the pad yet, but when he’s back in the pad we’ll always compete, everyone, even Keawe (Kane-Keahi).” Akahi-Vida said. “Every D-line and O-line, we’re always trying to improve ourselves every day. We make each other better.
Morikawa
“I’d say our defense is pretty quick compared to other defenses we’ve been in, but it really helps us when they’re a big challenge.”
Lahainaluna head coach Dean Rickard has grown a long beard since recently retiring from the Maui Police Department — he plans to play Santa Claus for his five grandchildren — and said his team focused on him after a 38-0 loss to Iolani. In the first Hawaii Bank/HHSAA Division I state championship game in December.
Last year, Lunas, like other public schools in the state, had to pause and restart practice after a six-week break mandated by the state Department of Education over Covid-19 protocols.
“I think for the kids and the coaches, that uncertainty makes it a lot better for everybody, we can focus on the job at hand.” Record said. “For the kids, they understand that the season happens and it’s not going to be one short season, it’s going to be a whole season.”
The Lunas will play their first preseason game since 2019 when they travel to Hilo to play the Vikings on Aug. 13. They were also part of a three-way control battle Saturday at King Kekaulik Stadium that included Na Ali and Na Ali. Maui Hi.
Lahainaluna’s players broke a streak at the end of coach Randy Casco’s speed-and-quick workout on Tuesday.
“We were lucky, they invited us and this was a great opportunity for us as coaches, as well as the players to put the pieces of the puzzle together.” Record said. “So it’s a great opportunity. The kids are excited. Even Maui High, you can tell their coaches are excited. King K, they’ve been great, too.”
Rickard said he saw several big linemen for Saber and Na Ali.
“I’m not too sure, but whatever water they have on the other side, they won’t transport it to this side because they have something special there, no doubt, both King K and Maui High.” Record said. “It was a good scandal.”
Rickard said 38-0 still stings. That loss ended an 18-game hitting streak and 10-0, five seasons in the state tournament that included four consecutive Division II state titles.
“It’s unfinished business for most returnees.” Record said. “That’s how we’re trying to approach it and treat it like that.”
Lahainalu’s offensive linemen move and work on their feet Tuesday afternoon at Sue Cooley Stadium.
Former coach Garrett Tihada returns as the team’s offensive coordinator after a three-year hiatus.
“So you can expect the same old thing from what we’ve been running because for the last three years he’s been taking a bit of a break and we haven’t missed anything.” Record said. “Everything is good now. He’s retired like me, so we’ve got some time to spend with football and work on the season. But, yeah, we’re really looking forward to the season.
I think 38-0, it’s not too much of a home run on him, it’s a good vindication because we’ve had a rivalry with them for years going up against ‘Iolani.
Rickard said his message to the team’s entire group of young returnees after that state championship loss was simple.
It sits hard on their minds, but at the same time, there’s been a lot of learning, ‘Hey, to get to that point, we’ve got to put in the time off to prove that work. We can focus on getting to that point. Record said.
Junior quarterback Noah Gordon, 25-for-42 passing for 601 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in MIL play last season, is currently in a three-way battle for the QB spot.
Ian-Jay Cabanilla (55 carries, 566 yards, 4 TDs) and Kaulana Tihada (83-411, 8 TDs) each return after finishing 1-2 on the MIL rushing list last season.
Rickard said 45 to 47 players play on the varsity team and 20 to 25 play on the junior varsity.
Linebacker Kahi Magno, tight end Maualina Montgomery and defensive lineman Kawika Kailey return to the secondary after making big contributions as freshmen last year.
“I think most of the returning undergraduates this year will understand what it takes.” Record said. “It’s our job as coaches to make sure we stay on that path. … These kids are ready, they’re hungry.”
* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com.
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MIL football preseason games
Friday August 12
Maui High vs. Nanakuli at War Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m
Saturday, August 13
Kamehameha Hawaii at Kamehameha Maui, 6 p.m
Waimea at King Kekaulike, 7 p.m
Title vs. Hilo at Wong Stadium, 6 p.m
Baldwin on Kauai, time TBA
